Podcast Summary: Buffalo Plus – Top 5 and Bottom 5 NFL Teams for Week 5 & Worst Thing About Primetime Broadcasts

Podcast: Buffalo Plus: A Buffalo Bills Podcast
Host: Mike Catalana
Episode Air Date: October 1, 2025
Episode Focus: Mike Catalana shares his current Top 5 and Bottom 5 NFL teams heading into Week 5, discusses a devastating injury to Tyreek Hill, and delivers a candid rant about the state of NFL officiating and how it’s handled on primetime broadcasts.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode features Mike Catalana solo as he analyzes the NFL landscape for Week 5, offering his unique rankings of the league’s best and worst teams. Catalana digs into significant storylines affecting the season, spends time on player injuries, and closes with a passionate critique of the way officiating is discussed during primetime broadcasts. Bills fans and NFL devotees will find sharp insights, strong opinions, and some classic Buffalo Plus tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bottom 5 NFL Teams (00:50 – 13:15)

#5 — New York Giants

• Reasoning: Despite a recent win, the loss of star receiver Malik Nabers to a torn ACL stings deeply.
• Key Quotes:
  • "Jackson Dart looked like a rookie, used his legs, which is great...the rest of the team, defense got after it against the Chargers." (02:00)
  • "Malik Nabers injury just crushes them. He's a difference maker in that passing game." (03:10)
• O-line is still weak, and the team is banged up. Catalana credits Brian Daboll but says, "They're not a good football team." (04:00)

#4 — New Orleans Saints

• Observations: Competitive for a winless team; on the verge of rebuild, but missing a QB. Noted the prospect of the Mannings returning (in the form of Arch).
• “I think they've shown something in three of their four games...they are ready to begin the rebuild.” (05:00)

#3 — New York Jets

• Commentary: Catalana confesses to expecting more; highlights coaching frustrations and player talent (esp. Sauce Gardner), but Jets are "just not there as an entire roster" (07:45).
• On Sauce Gardner blaming penalties on losing: “I don’t know. He did grab a couple times. He got caught a couple times...” (08:45)

#2 — Tennessee Titans

• Harsh Assessment: "They're terrible. I mean, they're really bad…" (09:20)
• Coach Brian Callahan under pressure, rookie Cam Ward shows “something in him,” but the team overall is a mess.

#1 — Cincinnati Bengals

• Reasoning: Recent Monday night disaster, both offense and defense called “horrible.” Noted mental errors, bad penalties, injuries, and “no Joe Burrow.”
• Notable Quote: "I tweeted at one point, do they even practice? That's how bad they looked." (10:45)
• “They may not be the worst team in the league, but they looked like the worst team in the league in that game.” (11:10)

2. Top 5 NFL Teams (13:20 – 28:00)

#5 — Seattle Seahawks

• Praise for: Toughness, strong home record, defense improving under Coach McDonald, Sam Darnold “been okay.”
• “I think they got something going there a little bit.” (13:45)

#4 — Philadelphia Eagles

• Undefeated, Yet Flawed: Critiques offense (“not right”) and young defense. Praises Vic Fangio as best coordinator. Wary about the longevity of their success.
• “They did not complete a pass in the second half. That's hard to do. Very hard to do. And they won the game.” (15:10)

#3 — Kansas City Chiefs

• Recent Rebound: Jump from bottom five last week to top three after a dominant win over the Ravens.
• “I think they woke up a little bit in that game...I'm just not going to count them out yet.” (17:40)

#2 — Buffalo Bills

• Honest Appraisal: Undefeated but “flawed.” Defense “just not good enough,” offense “very good,” and Josh Allen gives them a shot.
• "We do a whole podcast...telling you how many ways I can say the defense is not good enough and the offense is very good. Josh will put up 30." (20:30)
• Highlights injuries and depth concerns on D, kicker questions, but offense is the real engine.

#1 — Detroit Lions

• Redemption & Momentum: Earlier criticism replaced with praise for playing “with a purpose” and defeating the Ravens on the road.
• “It's like they're freed up a little bit...I like the way the Lions team is playing.” (23:10)
• “I'm going to, as we say, give them their flowers.” (23:45)

3. Other Standout Notes & NFL Storylines (28:10 – 32:00)

Dallas Cowboys & Dak Prescott

• Surprise Support: Though previously critical, Catalana lauds Dak’s stellar play (“like a top five quarterback in the league, maybe even top three.”)
• "I gotta call it the way I see it, I'm no big Dak Prescott fan...He is playing really well." (25:30)

Tyreek Hill’s Injury

• Impact: Heartbreaking injury for one of the game’s most electric players; could be out long-term.
• "That's a very serious injury with multiple ligaments...It's tough to see for Tyreek Hill. It's tough for the Dolphins." (26:50)
• Notes his remarkable composure leaving the field.

4. Officiating & NFL Broadcasts Rant (32:00 – 40:00)

Mike’s Gripe with Primetime Broadcasts

• Troy Aikman Praise: Loves Aikman’s “cranky old man” honesty, especially frustrations with excess flags.
• "Nothing brings a broadcast to a screeching halt more than the flags. You are absolutely right." (32:10)
• Rules Announcers Critiqued: Slams broadcast rules experts (Russell Yerk, Dean Blandino) for never openly calling out bad calls.
• Quote: “If you’re not going to tell the truth, we all see it. We’re not stupid. Well, sometimes that can be. But we’re not stupid. It’s a bad call. Just say it’s a bad call.” (33:20)
• On the “Tush Push” Play: Mocks Dean Blandino’s complaints about the play as “clownish.”
• “I really don’t need to hear Dean Blandino tell me he’s done with the play. I’m done with hearing Dean Blandino in the booth.” (36:20)
• Calls for more honest analysis and candor from rules analysts in the booth.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Cincinnati’s collapse:
  “They were atrocious. I don't know how this season's gonna go...I tweeted at one point, do they even practice?” (10:45)
• On Eagles’ odd win:
  “The Eagles did not complete a pass in the second half. That's hard to do. Very hard to do. And they won the game.” (15:10)
• On broadcast rules experts:
  “If you’re not going to tell the truth, we all see it. We’re not stupid. Well, sometimes that can be. But we’re not stupid. It’s a bad call. Just say it’s a bad call.” (33:20)
• On NFL’s ‘Tush Push’ drama:
  “I really don’t need to hear Dean Blandino tell me he’s done with the play. I’m done with hearing Dean Blandino in the booth.” (36:20)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50 – Bottom 5 NFL Teams Breakdown
• 13:20 – Top 5 NFL Teams Discussion
• 25:30 – Dallas Cowboys/Dak Prescott Praise
• 26:50 – Tyreek Hill Injury Impact
• 32:00 – Rant: Officiating and Broadcast Critique
• 36:20 – “Tush Push” Play and Rules Expert Criticism

Tone and Style

Catalana is candid, irreverent, and not afraid to contradict himself or the prevailing narrative. He delivers factual analysis with a mix of wry humor and Buffalo-centric passion, openly challenging both teams and NFL media when deserved.

Final Thought

This episode combines hard-nosed football analysis, inside-Bills perspective, and a refreshing, unfiltered look at the NFL’s biggest storylines through Week 5. Catalana’s rants about broadcasters and rules analysts are as entertaining as they are insightful, making this a must-listen for fans who want more than just the party line.